WWRC 97-05iii
American Water Resources Association Wyoming Section

The American Water Resources Association
(AWRA) was founded in 1964 with a mission "to
promote understanding of water resources and
related issues by providing a multidisciplinary forum
for information exchange, professional development,
and education." Membership in AWRA is
individual, corporate, or institutional. Current
AWRA membership stands at over 3,000, from
throughout the United States and other countries.

AWRA pursues its multidisciplinary educational
mission through organization of conferences and
symposia on such diverse topics as the role of Man-Induced
Changes in Hydrologic Systems (Jackson,
WY; June, 1994) and Conjunctive Use - Aquifer
Storage and Recovery (Long Beach, CA; October,
1997). The summer, 1997 AWRA Symposium will
be held June 29-July 3 in Keystone, CO under the
general topic of "Crossing the Stream to the 21st
Century".

AWRA publications include the bi-monthly
newsletter HyData - News and Views, a timely
compendium ofupcoming water resource meetings
and educational offerings, employment
opportunities, and news summaries. The primary
AWRA outlet for scholarly research is the bi-
monthly Journal of the American Water Resources
Association (formerly the Water Resources Bulletin),
which publishes approximately 115 refereed papers
each year.

The AWRA has recently established an Internet web
site which provides both general organization
information and on-line proceedings from recent
conferences. Those potentially interested in AWRA
activities are encouraged to review the information
available at http:/www.awra.org/~awra.

The WYOMING SECTION of AWRA was
organized in 1987. Membership is drawn from state
and federal water resource agencies, the water
resources consulting industry, and the University of
Wyoming. Affiliated with the state section is a
student section organized at the University of
Wyoming. The state section provides the water
resource professionals and students of Wyoming an
opportunity to keep abreast of ongoing research
developments throughout the state, to exchange ideas
on topics of current interest, and to promote an
awareness and appreciation of water resource
management and research.

Primary Wyoming section activities consist of a
spring meeting usually featuring a single water
resources topic, publication of a chapter newsletter,
and organization of a fall water resources
conference. The fall conference is typically a two-day
event, featuring current research by the
university, agency, and consulting community.
Prizes for the best undergraduate and graduate
student papers are provided to encourage public
exposure for the water resource professionals of
tomorrow.

In addition to presentation of individual research
papers, the annual fall conference typically presents
an in-depth panel discussion or debate on a topic of
special interest to those involved with Wyoming's
water resources. Recent examples of this forum
include mining and environmental hydrologists on
the New World Mine near Cooke City, Montana;
historical, regulatory, and scientific professionals on
the stream pollution associated with the historic
Ferris- Haggerty Mine west of Encampment,
Wyoming; and public officials and regulatory agency
representatives on the permitting and construction of
the Tie Hack municipal supply reservoir west of
Buffalo, Wyoming.

The Wyoming Section supports the educational
activities of the Wyoming Water Resources Center
through such projects as the Wyoming Water
Calendar and has played a major supporting role in
the organization of the Wyoming Water '97
conference.

Membership in the Wyoming Section ofAWRA is
open to all interested individuals. Current dues are
$12 per year. 1997 officers are Bern Hinckley of
Hinckley Consulting - President, Chris Ameson of
the Wyoming Water Resources Center - Vice
President, Mark Conrad of the Wyoming Dept. of
Environmental Quality - Secretary, Caria Rumsey of
Western Water Consultants - Treasurer, and Ken
Peacock of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management -
Past President.

Anyone wishing to join the Wyoming Section, to be
placed on the mailing list for the newsletter and
announcements of activities and events, or to receive
further information is encouraged to contact Bern
Hinckley at P.O. Box 452, Laramie, WY 82070;
(307) 745-0066; e-mail at bhinckley@aol.com.